Contact lens edge modifying machine

ABSTRACT

An improved contact lens edge modifying machine including structure for positioning the lens to a first position wherein the anterior part of the lens is polished, to a second position wherein the apex part of the lens edge is polished, and to a third position wherein the posterior part of the lens edge is polished. The machine includes a peculiar polishing wheel which has three lens engaging surfaces adjacent the periphery thereof and which are angularly displaced one from the other to respectively engage the anterior, apex, and posterior parts of the lens edge when the structure for positioning the lens is selectively moved to the first, second, and third positions.

United States Patent 1191 Hoffman Sept. 17, 1974 [76] Inventor: Jacob Hoffman, 670 Waring Rd.,

Memphis, Tenn. 38122 [22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 331,955

52 us. c1 51/105 LG, 51/131 51 1111. C1 B24b 13/00 58 Field 01 Search..... 51/105 R, 105 LG, 106 LG,

51/284, 101 R, 101 LG, 131,216 L, 217 L Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant ExaminerNicholas P. Godici Attorney, Agent, or Firm.lohn R. Walker, 111

[ ABSTRACT An improved contact lens edge modifying machine including structure for positioning the lens to a first position wherein the anterior part of the lens is polished, to a second position wherein the apex part of the lens edge is polished, and to a third position wherein the posterior part of the lens edge is polished. The machine includes a peculiar polishing wheel which has three lens engaging surfaces adjacent the periphery thereof and which are angularly displaced one from the other to respectively engage the anterior, apex, and posterior parts of the lens edge when the structure for positioning the lens is selectively moved to the first, second, and third positions.

2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures CONTACT LENS EDGE MODIFYING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of contact lens edge modifying machines and is particularly directed toward the mechanism thereof for polishing the anterior, apex, and posterior parts of the lens edge.

2. Description of the Prior Art A preliminary patentability search revealed the following U.S. Patents: Eves et al., US. Pat. No. 2,674,- 068; Dillon, US. Pat. No. 2,693,063; Kratt, US. Pat. No. 3,087,284; Stern, U.S. Pat. No. 3,353,303; Herbert et al., US. Pat. No. 3,514,908; and Kilmer et al., US. Pat. No. 3,528,326. Additionally, the applicant is the inventor of the device of the Hoffman, US. Pat. No. 3,112,581. None of the above patents show or suggest the improvements disclosed in the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present state of the art, the face of a polishing wheel is used for edge polishing, which generally results in merely rounding the apex of the edge or reducing the diameter of the lens. There is no means for accurately directing the polishing action to either the anterior, apex or posterior part of the edge so that the edge can be formed to the shape desired. In the edge modifying device of the present invention the polishing is done on the rim of the polishing wheel which allows suitable construction of a rim design such that any or all three sides of the edge can be worked on at will to give the lens configuration design. One such rim design is best shown in FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings. The concept of the present invention is to provide the operator, ideally the practitioner or the laboratory technician, with a simple-to-operate machine which selectively accomplishes any one of several operations selectively without shutting down the machine and with fingertip control to accomplish the various operations. More specifically, the contact lens edge modifying machine of the present invention includes structure for positioning the lens to a first position wherein the anterior part of the lens edge is polished, to a second position wherein the apex of the edge of the lens is polished, and to a third position wherein the posterior part of the lens edge is polished. The machine includes a peculiar polishing wheel which has three lens engaging surfaces adjacent the periphery thereof and which are angularly displaced one from the other to respectively engage the anterior, apex, and posterior parts of the lens edge when the structure for positioning the lens is selectively moved to the first, second, and third positions to actually form the lens. Thus, in said first position the edge is made thinner, in said second position the edge is rounded and the lens size can be reduced, and in said third position the anterior portion of the edge is polished.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary somewhat diagrammatical elevational view of the machine of the present invention with certain parts broken away and/or not shown for purposes of clarity or for showing in a simplified manner the improvement herein disclosed. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of certain structure depicted in FIG. 1 showing the peripheral lens engaging surfaces of the polishing wheel with the lens being depicted in engagement therewith in the three preferred positions thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The machine 11 of the present invention includes a typical arbor 13 which is shown suitably received by a typical arbor holder 15. A typical spindle 17, rotatably driven by suitable means, not shown, is included which drives the holder 15 by an endless resilient belt 19, as for example by a rubber band, A typical hub 21 is included and is removably attached by suitable means, as a set screw 25 or the like to an axle 23, which is rotatably driven by suitable well-known means, not shown.

The arbor 13 includes well-known means (not shown) for attachment thereto of a contact lens or work piece which is character referenced herein by the letter W. The peripheral edge of the lens W includes an anterior part A, an apex part X, and a posterior part R as best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing and which have certain operations performed thereon in a manner yet to be described.

The machine 11 includes positioning means 29 for moving the arbor 13 and the lens W to a first position character referenced in FIG. 2 by the letter P wherein the anterior part A of the lens edge W is polished, to a second position P wherein the apex part X of the lens edge W is polished, and to a third position I wherein the posterior part R of the lens edge W is polished. The machine 11 also includes a peculiar polishing wheel 31 which has the lower face thereof fixedly attached to the hub 21 for rotation about a substantially vertical axis by the axle 23. The polishing wheel 31 includes at least three work engaging surfaces 33, 35, 37 which are disposed adjacent the periphery thereof. The first, second and third work engaging surfaces 33, 35, 37 are angularly displaced one from the other to respectively engage the anterior A, apex X, and posterior R parts of the lens edge W when the arbor 13 is selectively moved to the first, second, and third positions P P and P It should be pointed out that the polishing wheel 31 preferably includes a removable polishing cloth 39 or the like which is secured to the polishing wheel 31 by an endless spring 41. The edges of the cloth 39 extend downwardly so as to cover the first, second and third work engaging surfaces 33, 35, 37. The spring 41 urges the circular edge of the cloth 39 into an annular groove 43 in a manner similar to that previously disclosed by the applicant in US. Pat. No. 3,112,581.

The positioning means 29 includes lever means or a pair of rocker arms 45, 46 like that shown in US. Pat. No. 3,1 12,581. The lever means 45, 46 swingingly supports the arbor 13 a spaced distance above typical support structure 47 with the arbor 13 being free to pivot about first and second horizontal axes 49, 51. The upper ends as at 53 of the lever means 45, 46 are pivotally attached to the arbor 13 by suitable pivot pins establishing the first horizontal axis 49. The lower ends as at 55 of the lever means 45, 56 are pivotally attached to the support structure 47 by suitable pivot pins establishing the second horizontal axis 51. It should be pointed out that the arbor holder 15 includes a ball bearing assembly 57 like that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,1 12,581. Accordingly, the outer race of the ball hearing assembly 57 does not rotate with the arbor l3.

Therefore, the pivot pins establishing the first horizontal axis 49 are attached to the outer race of the bearing assembly 57 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

It should now be apparent that pivoting the arbor 13 about the first horizontal axis 49 is effective to move the lens W towards and away from the polishing wheel 31. Additionally, pivoting the arbor 13 about the second horizontal axis 51 is effective to move the lens W towards and away from the support structure 47 for selective engagement of the lens W with the plurality of work engaging surfaces 33, 35, 37 of the polishing wheel 31.

The positioning means 29 also includes yoke means 59 for remotely positioning the arbor 13. The yoke means 59 includes first and second legs 61, 63 and is pivotally attached to the support structure 47 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis or pivot pin 65 and between several positions thereof. In viewing FIG. 1 it would appear that the pivot pin 65 is parallel with the first and second horizontal axes 49, 51, however, this allusion is selected to better illustrate the movement of the structure depicted. In other words, the environment of the depicted structure usually includes a horizontal table-like surface (not shown) from which the upstanding spindle l7 protrudes. Accordingly, the second horizontal axis 51 is disposed adjacent the table-like surface (not shown). Therefore, the major plane of the yoke means 59 is parallel with and adjacent to the table-like surface (not shown), i.e., the pivot pin 65 being disposed in a vertical axis protrudes upwardly from and is attached to the table-like surface (not shown).

The positioning means 29 also includes arm means 67 for pivotally interconnecting the first leg 61 to the lever means or one of the rocker arms 45, 46. Also included is pull spring means 69 which is interposed between and suitably attached to the second leg 63 and the arbor 13 or more specifically the bearing assembly 57 for urging rotation of the arbor 13 about the first horizontal axis 49, thus causing the lens W to be urged toward the appropriate work engaging surface 33, 35, 37 of the polishing wheel 31 corresponding to the position of the yoke means, i.e., the previously described positions P P P Additionally, the yoke means 59 includes a handle 71 to facilitate fingertip control of the positioning means 29. Further, the upper end of the arm means 67 is pivotally attached to one of the rocker arms 45, 46 by a pivot pin 73 and the lower end of the arm means 67 is pivotally attached to the first leg 61 by a pivot pin 75, i.e., the arm means 67 being nonhorizontal and nonvertical.

From the foregoing it should now be apparent that the positioning means 29 including the yoke means 59 enables the operator of the machine 11 to position the lens W, with a touch of his finger, while the machine 1 1 is in operation, to polish any part of the edge of the lens W he desires. More specifically, turning the handle 71 to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 or rotating the yoke means 59 clockwise about the pivot pin 65, causes the rocker arms 45, 56 to rotate clockwise about the second horizontal axis 51, thus moving the lens W toward the position P Conversely, moving the handle 71 to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 or rotating the yoke means 59 counterclockwise about the pivot pin 65 raises the lens W or causes it to be moved toward the position P i.e., the position P being obtained by an intermediate position of the handle 71.

From FIG. 2 of the drawing it may be seen that the first work engaging surface 33 of the polishing wheel 31 slopes upwardly and inwardly from the perimeter shown at 77 of the polishing wheel 31. Additionally, the junction of the second and third work engaging surfaces 35, 37 establishes an apex 79. Further, the second work engaging surface 35 is disposed between the first and third work engaging surfaces 33, 37 and slopes downwardly and inwardly from the perimeter 77 and terminates at the apex 79. Further, the third work engaging surface 37 slopes downwardly and inwardly from the apex 79 towards the annular groove 43.

The advantage of the instant invention is that the edge including the anterior A, apex X and posterior R parts can be easily, quickly and accurately modified by the three position fingertip control of the polishing means 29. In other words, the present invention allows the operator to shape the lens edge exactly as he wants it, fast and while the machine is running.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An improvement in a contact lens edge modifying machine having polishing means; including an arbor for holding and rotating the lens, and a polishing wheel engagable with said lens to smooth and polish the edge thereof; said edge of said lens having anterior, apex, and posterior parts thereto; wherein said improvement comprises positioning means for moving said arbor and said lens to a first position wherein the anterior part of said lens edge is polished; to a second position wherein the apex part of said lens edge is polished, and to a third position wherein the posterior part of said lens edge is polished; and said polishing wheel including at least three work engaging surfaces disposed adjacent the periphery thereof and which are angularly displaced one from the other to respectively engage the anterior, apex, and posterior parts of the lens edge of the selective movement of said arbor to said first, second, and third positions, said positioning means including lever means for swingingly supporting said arbor a spaced distance above support structure with said arbor being free to pivot about first and second horizontal axes, the upper end of said lever means being pivotally attached to said arbor establishing said first horizontal axis and the lower end of said lever means being pivotally attached to said support structure establishing said second horizontal axis, pivoting said arbor about said first horizontal axis being effective to move the lens towards and away from said polishing wheel, pivoting said arbor about said second horizontal axis being effective to move the lens towards and away from said support structure for selective engagement of said lens with said plurality of work engaging surfaces of said polishing wheel, yoke means for remotely positioning said arbor, said yoke means having first and second legs thereto and being pivotally attached to said support structure for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and between several positions thereof, arm means for pivotally interconnecting said first leg of said yoke means to said lever means, and pull spring means interposed between said second leg of said yoke means and said arbor for urging rotation of said arbor about said first horizontal axis causing said lens to be urged towards the appropriate work engaging surface of said polishing wheel corresponding to the position of said yoke means.

2. An improvement in a contact lens edge modifying machine having polishing means; including an arbor for holding and rotating the lens, and a polishing wheel rotatably driven about a vertical axis engagable with the lens to smooth and polish the edge thereof; said edge of the lens having anterior, apex, and posterior parts thereto; said improvement comprising lever means for swingingly supporting said arbor a spaced distance above support structure with said arbor being free to pivot about first and second horizontal axes, the upper end of said lever means being pivotally attached to said arbor establishing said first horizontal axis and the lower end of said lever means being pivotally attached to said support structure establishing said second horizontal axis, pivoting said arbor about said first horizontal axis being effective to move the lens towards and away from said polishing wheel; said polishing wheel including a first annular work engaging surface sloping upwardly and inwardly from the perimeter of said polishing wheel, a second annular work engaging surface disposed adjacent said first work engaging surface and being sloped downwardly and inwardly from the perimcter of said polishing wheel, and a third work engaging surface disposed adjacent said second work engaging surface and being sloped downwardly and inwardly therefrom; pivoting said arbor about said second horizontal axis being effective to move the lens towards and away from said support structure for selective engagement of the lens with said first, second, and third work engaging surfaces; and yoke means for remotely positioning said arbor, said yoke means having first and second legs thereto and being pivotally attached to said support structure for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and between several positions thereof, arm means for pivotally interconnecting said first leg of said yoke means to said lever means, and pull spring means interposed between said second leg of said yoke means and said arbor for urging rotational movement of said arbor about said first horizontal axis causing the lens to be urged towards the appropriate work engaging surface of said polishing wheel corresponding to the position of said yoke means. 

1. An improvement in a contact lens edge modifying machine having polishing means; including an arbor for holding and rotating the lens, and a polishing wheel engagable with said lens to smooth and polish the edge thereof; said edge of said lens having anterior, apex, and posterior parts thereto; wherein said improvement comprises positioning means for moving said arbor and said lens to a first position wherein the anterior part of said lens edge is polished; to a second position wherein the apex part of said lens edge is polished, and to a third position wherein the posterior part of said lens edge is polished; and said polishing wheel including at least three work engaging surfaces disposed adjacent the periphery thereof and which are angularly displaced one from the other to respectively engage the anterior, apex, and posterior parts of the lens edge of the selective movement of said arbor to said first, second, and third positions, said positioning means including lever means for swingingly supporting said arbor a spaced distance above support structure with said arbor being free to pivot about first and second horizontal axes, the upper end of said lever means being pivotally attached to said arbor establishing said first horizontal axis and the lower end of said lever means being pivotally attached to said support structure establishing said second horizontal axis, pivoting said arbor about said first horizontal axis being effective to move the lens towards and away from said polishing wheel, pivoting said arbor about said second horizontal axis being effective to move the lens towards and away from said support structure for selective engagement of said lens with said plurality of work engaging surfaces of said polishing wheel, yoke means for remotely positioning said arbor, said yoke means having first and second legs thereto and being pivotally attached to said support structure for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and between several positions thereof, arm means for pivotally interconnecting said first leg of said yoke means to said lever means, and pull spring means interposed between said second leg of said yoke means and said arbor for urging rotation of said arbor about said first horizontal axis causing said lens to be urged towards the appropriate work engaging surface of said polishing wheel corresponding to the position of said yoke means.
 2. An improvement in a contact lens edge modifying machine having polishing means; including an arbor for holding and rotating the lens, and a polishing wheel rotatably driven about a vertical axis engagable with the lens to smooth and polish the edge thereof; said edge of the lens having anterior, apex, and posterior parts thereto; said improvement comprising lever means for swingingly supporting said arbor a spaced distance above support structure with said arbor being free to pivot about first and second horizontal axes, the upper end of said lever means being pivotally attached to said arbor establishing said first horizontal axis and the lower end of said lever means bEing pivotally attached to said support structure establishing said second horizontal axis, pivoting said arbor about said first horizontal axis being effective to move the lens towards and away from said polishing wheel; said polishing wheel including a first annular work engaging surface sloping upwardly and inwardly from the perimeter of said polishing wheel, a second annular work engaging surface disposed adjacent said first work engaging surface and being sloped downwardly and inwardly from the perimeter of said polishing wheel, and a third work engaging surface disposed adjacent said second work engaging surface and being sloped downwardly and inwardly therefrom; pivoting said arbor about said second horizontal axis being effective to move the lens towards and away from said support structure for selective engagement of the lens with said first, second, and third work engaging surfaces; and yoke means for remotely positioning said arbor, said yoke means having first and second legs thereto and being pivotally attached to said support structure for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and between several positions thereof, arm means for pivotally interconnecting said first leg of said yoke means to said lever means, and pull spring means interposed between said second leg of said yoke means and said arbor for urging rotational movement of said arbor about said first horizontal axis causing the lens to be urged towards the appropriate work engaging surface of said polishing wheel corresponding to the position of said yoke means. 